My Son was Released Today

Thanks for sharing. I hope that I can be as positive as you in the future. My son has not accomplished near what your son has. Mine is still a HS Senior.

Thanks for sharing. Keep the faith, keep grinding (I am sure he will) and enjoy the experience....keep us posted.

Wish him the best, sounds like he can hit..here's to his health and landing somewhere he wants, doing what he loves.

Keep plugging.  When one door closes, others open. 

A hell of a run so far. More than most. I'm sure he'll be good no matter where life takes him.

Dan,

My very first reaction in reading this was to remember when Tyler was told he probably would redshirt his freshman year in college.  We both know what he "earned" after that.

This seems very similar: somewhat of a set back but also a new opportunity.

Tyler has made the most of every opportunity in baseball. I don't expect anything different this time.

I hope I'm not being presumptuous when I say that I think I know precisely what you mean.

 

The day my son called to say that he'd been released, one of the things he said was, "Dad, this means that you and Mom will never get the chance to see me play again, and it always gave you so much enjoyment!" His release had come at the end of a failed effort to rehab from a torn labrum repair, and he knew that free agency wasn't a realistic option.

 

At the time, I was so glad that he said that because it gave me the opportunity to reply, "Son, your mother and I revel in the opportunity to watch you strive to succeed at anything you've undertaken. Of course, we love the game; but, we'll be just as riveted to your efforts and accomplishments in this next chapter as we were whenever you took the mound."

 

"We've always known that the day would come when we turned the page on playing days. It'll be a great joy watching you head down the next path."

 

...and you know what? It has!

 

Congratulations to to all of you, CD! It's been a wonderful journey, so far; and, you have much more joy in store for you!

CD,

 

I wish the best for Tyler and hope this works out for the best for him. This just confirms again in my mind that luck (good or bad) plays a big part in a professional career and baseball can be a totally ruthless business. Congratulations for all Tyler has accomplished and perhaps a change of scenery will be all he needs.

Thanks for sharing, Dan.

 

I know he'll create a new opportunity for himself and get after it like he always has done.

 

Best wishes to him and you.

Releases are very common.  Our family has experienced several of them.  Each one of them was a very sad day.  Sometimes it is the end and sometimes it can be the beginning. In many cases releases are related to an injury. But it is never any fun when an organization tells you they no longer have you in their plans.

 

For those who want to continue the pursuit, the lucky thing is there are 30 organizations.

Dan, your son has been knocking on the door, I hope something good happens for him.

 

One thing that can be a problem is the timing.  Most clubs are setting up their rosters now and are actually making their own releases rather than picking up FAs.  While it could happen quickly if there is someone that has a need.  In my experience, it is more likely to happen once the season has started and the need is created.  I'm sure all 30 clubs know he can play at the AAA level.  Once back there, he will once again be knocking on the door.  I hope we can celebrate that day when he makes his debut.

 

In many cases, as hard as it is to understand, that release can be a blessing in disguise.

 

No matter what, we should always remember and be proud of how much our sons have accomplished by earning the opportunity to play high school, college or professional baseball.  They can't release you if they didn't sign you first.

 

 

 

CD,

So sorry to hear about Tyler.  I hope he lands on his feet quickly.

 

Those injuries seem to be the curse. My Cleveland son has been plagued since Sophomore year with hip issues and the little one broke his wrist two weeks before season started.  They are both working hard.

Thanks for sharing CD. Prepster said everything exactly how we felt when our son was released . It has been good for us moving on and watching him tackle new things with the same diligence and hard work.

With that said Tyler has gone much farther. If he continues to play I also hope he doesnt knock at the door but bust it down.
If he continues in a different aspect of baseball as I know you mentioned he wants to stay in baseball he will be great.

You have been one of my best supporters here forever and in private .

All of us that have been involved know very well how things work in the minor leagues.

Tyler will be awesome in any direction he goes and thats partly due to you.
Best of everything for Tyler.

I would have to believe there will be opportunities for a player who made it to AAA. Unfortunately it can sometimes take until well into April for rosters to shake out and AAA teams and organizations to figure out what they need. I'm guessing this is a new chapter, not the end of the story. Good luck!

Dan,

 

Best wishes for Tyler and your family.  I will continue to follow him, pull for him and pray for him.  You know better than anyone here, professional baseball  is a difficult business. Organizations make mistakes every day.  Well, I think they made a big mistake, and I'm looking forward to Tyler making it to the Bigs with another organization.  Best of luck.

 

W

Dan,

Prepster got it right. We know what you mean and how you feel.  I remember the day Dave called that he had been released. But I wasn't surprised. His injures had really set him back. They weren't happy with him and he wasn't happy with them.  Injury for any milb player, means time off while everyone is passing you by.

 

Signing with the Tigers seemed like a really good opportunity, but I believe that free agency for a 26-27 year old, never on the ML roster, is not necessarily a positive opportunity. Teams tend to focus on their prospects. You are there just to support the team.  His first season he was in AA. And he did great that following spring only to end up back at AA.  He refused to sign back with them, will never know if that was the right situation, but he wasnt going back to AA. 

 

I would suggest that Tyler look into the Atlantic League, he as a good resume, that is the league for AAA, former ML players. He will be with players his own age or older.  Edit...Taylor Harbin.. played for the Skeeters, and got picked up again by another ML team but in AA. I guess he saw the writing on the wall, at 28 it was time to stop chasing the dream, now a family man. If its about the money possibly he could get picked up in the Mexican league, which is much much more money. David played for the Long Island Ducks, his opportunity led to winter ball in Mexico.  Hoping to try out for teams when he returned, unfortunately a minor injury has forced him to stop throwing for awhile. 

 

FWIW Taylor gave up the game, he is a student coach at Clemson, he will slide into a paid assistant spot and DK will become the student assistant and be apart of the pitching staff. He said his goal is Omaha once again. He is really excited, that he will be part of a baseball team again.  

 

I really thought that he would go through some type of withdrawal but I can see there was a sense of relief. He is working at a facility and he gives lessons to 12/13 year olds and he is absolutely loving it. He is learning about how teachers, instructors and coaches feel a sense of personal reward that was missing playing professional sports.

 

I understand how you feel, but I have to honestly say as a pitchers parent,  that I am looking forward to a stress free summer. There are so many ways to be involved in the game, and there definitely is life after baseball.

 

Atlantic League team holds try outs, but if you know someone who knows someone, they will give you a shot without a try out.

 

Contact me if you wish on info on the AL, and be assured your son will be ok, no matter what direction he decides to follow.  Just remember as one door closes another opens.

Best wishes to Tyler for an exciting new chapter. He has had a longer baseball career than most and should be proud of his accomplishments!

Thinking of your son, you + the family.  I know everything will work out!

Having watched your son play in person, I know he is a fine player.  A very fine player who should get other opportunities.  As you say, I know he was an "inch away" a couple/few times.  So much of this journey as about being in the right situation and a little bit of luck to boot.  One thing for sure, he IS good enough to play in the big leagues....just hoping he gets the right chance soon.

 

Having met your son, I also know he is a really fine person who will have no trouble succeeding in life, wherever that takes him.  He will be an awesome husband, father and mentor to others, just because he is who he is and he was raised by you!

 

Hoping the best for Tyler...soon! 

+1 !!!

Its just another opportunity. To either continue in the game at another place. Or start a new chapter that will be just as rewarding if not more. Tyler is an awesome man who will be successful no matter what. 

When one door closes, another often opens.   It's the great equilibrium of life.  Sounds like it has been an amazing ride for your son -- and for you.  No doubt many surprises and opportunities lie in the road ahead. 

Hey Dan – I understand how you feel, particularly the part where it does not feel like anyone is ready for the dream to end. We, in our family still remain there.

All my best to your family and especially Tyler. Enjoy a fishing trip or two together, then it will be time to get back to work. His playing days are only over if he is ready to hang up his cleats. There are more opportunities out there, ones that will keep him fine tuned so he is ready to play when the next team comes calling.

A friend's son played affiliated minor league baseball until he was 32. Last year he played Indy ball hoping to become AAA roster filler again. And if you're in AAA you never know if you're on a hot streak. He played in Japan for a year for substantial pay which he called a great cultural experience. He returned to the USA and played AAA, got cut and hooked up with another AAA team four straight years. 

 

When asked why he does this he said he has a great wife who understands how much he loves playing baseball. There isn't another job he could walk into making 90K (before Indy ball). He said when they tear the uniform off his back he'll put it back on a become a coach. He has a lot of contacts from all his years in the minors.

 

 

milb free agents can make a very nice salary for the season, but that is usually reserved for former ML guys. These are called your clubhouse guys, and some get signed for more than some make in a lifetime. These are the guys who help the prospects who will move up to the 25 man roster.  

My friend's son would room with top prospects to make sure they weren't acting like wild, young kids. He said Strasburg was the most mature of all his roommates.

Best of luck to him.  I agree that this is just a "different" opportunity for him to better his situation.  I believe that things happen for a reason!

Very sorry to hear about Tyler. One door closes ,another door opens.I'm sure he'll bounce back stronger than ever.

Hey CD,

I'm sorry to hear of Tyler's release, but I know that where ever the road takes him next (On or Off the field), your son will continue to persevere.....Just as he's done for the past several years.  Please keep us posted.

       
       
Had a friend from hs that did the same thing.  Moves away and lost contact with hometown but last I knew he was still coaching.  Was a AAA manager last I knew.  What a great way to make a living!

Dan:

 

Tyler is one of the many players that I have followed over my time as a part of hsbbweb. He has always been a success because of his ability to work harder then anyone else and his love of the game. Sometimes luck is more important than ability and as funny as it may seem, maybe his luck has changed. Within the D'backs organization, he never seemed to get any respect (that wasn't the situation with the Rays). Now there are 29 other teams that have a chance to pick up a player who will outwork everyone on the field. I feel sure this will happen! My hope is that he ends up with my favorite team. They sure could use a good 2B.

 

No matter what happens, it is my opinion that Tyler will always be a success, and it will be completely related to everything he has done and accomplished while playing baseball. My thoughts and prayer are with Tyler and I'm looking forward to seeing him back in uniform and playing the game he so much loves.

 

http://rayscoloredglasses.com/...a-bay-rays-farmhand/

I hope that he gets another shot!  Good Luck!

Dan, I'm a few days late here, but I just want to let you know that you and your son have helped so many people through the wisdom you share here, and I am personally grateful for that. I know that Karma is on his side no matter which way he steps next.  With the man you are and the one he has become, I expect to hear great things and much happiness from both of you in the future.

I'm sure he'll be getting calls for the next few months.  I was released in Spring Training as well and received calls from Independent Leagues for 3 months after as well as my agent received a few calls from other organizations.  But I never came back from my injury.  I hope he does!  Good luck!

Checking on Daves friends from last summer, I noticed that Tyler will be with the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Ironically that was the team Dave was headed for but ended up with the Ducks.  Played with the pitching coach while with the Cardinals.

 

The league is pretty good.   Nice parks and loyal fans and reasonably priced good food.

 

Best of luck to Tyler.

Thanks TPM!  He is headed there today to get his physical at 3:00PM.  He drove across country from Arizona this week and spent yesterday with us before heading to Lancaster which is about 5.5 hours away from here.  They have a lovely new ballpark and ironically, they do have one team they have to fly to which is in Houston.  He chose Lancaster because they are coached by former big-leaguer Butch Hobson.  He's also making the same money he was getting at AAA so he is happy all the way around.  They play a 140 game schedule and we are headed there for opening weekend at the end of April.  We are thankful he has the opportunity.

Great to hear! As long as he's playing, the hope is alive.

Yes, nice ballpark and managed well. I figured it wasnt far from you either.

The ducks, patriots, skeeters, revolution and barnstormers are the teams to beat and go to war each time they meet up.  

Thats not bad for salary. Dave didnt get paid a lot but he had a car and house covered.  Interesting to note that they trade and pick up released players.  So if you get released one day the next day you might find your way onto another team where you faced the guy the night before!

Have fun!

Congratulations to Tyler! May God Bless him with a tremendous season!

The Dream Lives On!

Great news! You never know what this might lead to. Best of luck to Tyler!